Genesis
41:9 ¶ Then spake the chief butler unto
Pharaoh, saying, I do remember my faults this day: 10 Pharaoh was wroth with his servants, and put
me in ward in the captain of the guard’s house, both me and the chief baker:
11 And we dreamed a dream in one night,
I and he; we dreamed each man according to the interpretation of his dream.
12 And there was there with us a young
man, an Hebrew, servant to the captain of the guard; and we told him, and he
interpreted to us our dreams; to each man according to his dream he did
interpret. 13 And it came to pass, as he
interpreted to us, so it was; me he restored unto mine office, and him he
hanged. 14 Then Pharaoh sent and called
Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved himself,
and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh. 15 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed
a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee,
that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it. 16 And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is
not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.
Now, after two
years, the butler remembers Joseph. The Pharaoh is desperate for an answer and
ready to call this Hebrew prisoner to be brought before him. Joseph probably
didn’t just shave his face in a bowl of water with a razor. There is evidence
that Egyptians shaved the hair on their heads and face with razors and even
some evidence that, at least the priests, shaving their entire bodies. Lice was
something that was disgusting to ancient Egyptians, I have read, and this
sanitary practice became a cultural practice for those who were not desperately
poor. Wigs were very popular among both men and women and the Ebers Medical
Papyrus gives us information about such details as how they made soap.[1]
Joseph’s answer to
Pharaoh is significant in that he acknowledges that the interpretation of a
dream is not in him but from God. God will put Pharaoh’s heart at rest
regarding the meaning of the dream. See 1Chronicles 22:9 and Isaiah 62:1 for
peace and rest and quietness as synonyms. Pharaoh’s troubled heart can only be
calmed by God and Joseph says God will do it.
[1]
Numerous sources talk about this. Here is one website among other; http://www.reshafim.org.il/ad/egypt/timelines/topics/hair.htm
(accessed 4.4.2017).
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